Fine Stationery & Favors

The beauty of a wedding invitation is found in the intricate
printed detailing on the inside and outside of the card. With gorgeous lettering
printed or pressed directly onto the paper, the results can be stunning. So
what are some methods used to print wedding invitations? In this blog, we
discuss a blend of modern and traditional processes that are applied when
printing an invitation.

Thermography

Thermography is a method of printing wedding invitations
that is classic and affordable. As the invitation is being printed, a resin is
spread on to the wet surface. The reaction from the heat allows the resin and
ink to fuse together. When the card has dried, the final product has a visible,
raised lettering. It shares the same similarities as having it engraved, but
for a fraction of the cost. With a vast range of ink colors to choose from,
thermography is a great way to customize any card!

Flat Printing

Flat printing, also known as digital
printing, is when ink is transferred to paper by a digital printing press.
This press has a higher quality and larger scale than the inkjet printer you
use at home. The process uses a liquid ink that soaks directly into cotton
paper, which leaves behind a smooth finish. Some examples of flat printing
include watercolor illustrations, photographs, and more. Combine it with foil
stamping for an elegant touch!

Letterpress Printing

Letterpressing is done on very thick paper in order to get
the best debossed look. Cotton paper is the perfect thickness for a letterpress
because of its soft touch and textured quality. When inserted into the
letterpress machine, ink is pressed down onto the paper by a metal plate. These
flexible printing plates can be customized into a design and get the same indistinguishable
results as an original letterpress. Perfect for couples that want a timeless
wedding invitation!

Conclusion

At Forever Friends, we want to be part of your wedding
invitation journey. Our studio works directly with you to get the perfect
design for your card. From lettering to photographs, we’re here to get your
wedding invitation exactly right. We invite you to visit our website for more
information on our products and specialty services for wedding invites,
reception cards, and more. Contact us today!

Your wedding is the best time to flex your creativity and make everything unique! If you are feeling stuck on how to make your invitations stand out, be sure to finish reading this month’s blog to learn more!

Basically…

Your wedding invitation is a great way to set the tone for your wedding. Whether you have a specific theme or a certain vibe you are going for, making this clear from the start is important! If you want to express a laid back and easygoing vibe, you can include a funny comic or cartoon on your invites. Guests will be able to pick up on the over all tone.

Another way to set the tone is by placing an event timeline on your invitation. A timeline of each event and the time they will take place is a great way to show your guests that you are having a very formal and structured wedding! Your guests will be able to plan accordingly and they will enjoy having a heads up on the day’s festivities.

If you want to set the tone for a romantic theme, try putting the timeline of your relationship on the invitation! It’s a great way to show the story of your love and will get everyone ready for a day of romance and love. It’s a sweet way to set the tone and everyone will be excited to see you finally say “I do”!

Another way to create an inviting vibe is by doing a list of “who is more likely…” on the invitation! It’s a great way to show that opposites attract but also is a great way for your guests to feel like they really know you. If you are inviting lots of close friends and family, this is a great way for them to know how special it is they were chosen to be there! If you choose to do this on invites to people who you don’t really know all that well, it’s a great way to make them feel like they know you and like they are really part of the celebration!

Conclusion

Your wedding invites should be as unique of your wedding celebration. Whether you are attempting to set the tone of simply have a unique way of inviting those you are closest too, adding character to your initiation has never been easier than when you rely on Forever Friends!

Planning for the most important day of your life is such an
exciting time. From picking a wedding theme to the perfect wedding invitations
and the selection of your bridal party, it can all be overwhelming yet
thrilling! With that comes the reception planning. What kind of food are you
going to offer? How about thank you gifts for your guests? In this blog we will
be sharing a few unique wedding reception ideas that can elevate your wedding
day making it that much more memorable, read along!

Capture the Moment
With a Backdrop

A picture perfect moment is worth a thousand words. Everyone
will be taking pictures of your beautiful ceremony and reception, give your
guests something fun to partake in by renting a backdrop or photo booth! A cute
backdrop and fun props could be the perfect way for your bridal party and
guests to capture some awesome moments at your wedding. The bride and groom
should start the activity and the rest will easily follow.

Dessert Table

Dessert tables have been a trend for a while now, and will
definitely be a staple for big events moving forward. This if for good reason,
I mean, who doesn’t love sweets? From a wood-engraved donut wall fit for a
rustic themed wedding, to a glass table filled with the bride and groom’s
favorite desserts, dessert tables are versatile and can be created to fit any
theme. From a chocolate fountain to a candy galore and your favorite French
macaroons, the options are endless. Satisfy your guests cravings with this fun
addition.

Thank You Gifts

It is a lovely
gesture to send your guests home with a cute gift as a thank you for
celebrating this wonderful moment with you. Some great gift ideas are: a
personalized alcohol bottle, a warm blanket, or even a scented candle with
personalized matches. There are many options to choose from, it all depends on
what you and your partner like.

We hope these cute and unique ideas spark your creativity when planning your wedding reception. You can count of Forever Friends to assist with your wedding invitations, stationary and much more! Visit our website to learn more about us.

Wedding invitations didn’t always contain pop-up flowers
or the words “Mr. and Mrs.” in embossed letters. To dive into the fascinating
story of how wedding invitations changed through the ages, we must investigate
some ancient manuscripts and practices. Below are some of the notable
highlights.

Minimalistic and Lead

First, we must look at the earliest surviving letter from
ancient Greece, which was that of a worker in the northern Black Sea during fifth
century B.C. The design seems to have been minimal, since the letter was written
on a simple thin
sheet of lead. There is no opening
or closing, unlike the dramatic envelope tearing that we have today. In
ancient Greece, this type of minimalism was especially strong when it came to
wedding invitation letters, as epitomized by their short notices. For example, one letter simply states:

Dionysios asks you to dinner on the occasion of his children’s marriage in the house of Ischyrion – tomorrow, which is the 30th from the ninth hour.

Theon, son of Origenes, invites you to the wedding of his sister – tomorrow, which is the 9th of Tubi from the eighth hour.

Despite such simplistic designs, receiving a Save the
Date seems to have mattered a great deal socially, as there was even a contemporary
myth about Eris (the goddess of discord) being refused admittance to a wedding banquet because
she didn’t have an invitation.

Printed and Tinted

Believe it or not, town
criers were the primary way of making wedding announcements for most during
the early and high Middle Ages, since many were illiterate. (The wealthy put family crests on the letters to
accommodate such guests.) In 1440, however, German goldsmith Johannes
Gutenberg came up with the printing
press, revolutionizing letterpress forever. (Yes, Chinese and Korean
printing methods did exist, but they lacked a metal alloy that melted and
cooled speedily.) This innovation enabled many Renaissance writers to publish
books in the vernacular and the
Protestant Reformers to make the Bible uncensored, both of which encouraged
people of all socioeconomic strata to become literate. Printed works could now
have color illustrations and pages with
as many as 42 lines of type. With the rise of capitalism, the emerging middle
class employed the mezzotint
technology, which enabled engraving via pricking a metal plate with little
holes designed to hold ink. To prevent smudging, a tissue paper would be placed on the engraving, a practice which is
common even for wedding invitations today.

The Gutenberg press.

Two Revolutions Later

After the Industrial
Revolution, wedding invitation design became even more specialized. Thanks
to lithography, or the act of creating
ink impressions via a special stone, the mass production of printed works took
off. Still, the postal system wasn’t quite what it was today, which meant people
had to send invitations on horseback. As precautions against inclement weather,
the invitations were sealed twice; the
outer envelope took the beating, preserving the integrity of the inner envelope.
After the Internet revolutionized the
commercial world, RSVP cards became even more personalized. Today, online
retailers that specialize in stationery receive all kinds of requests for
customizations.

A 1835 lithograph in color.

Conclusion

Thanks to all the advances in wedding invitation design
technology, making a card in an Art-Deco-styled format or with a thermographic typeface
is not difficult today. If you’re interested in getting that perfectly styled
wedding invitation, simply let Forever Friends lend
a hand today!

A wedding invite is much more involved than invitations for other parties. It can be a little overwhelming on first glance to figure out what parts of an invitation you actually need. Here’s a rundown of some essential wedding enclosures that you may want included in your invitation design.

Invitation Belly Band

You’ll undoubtedly have many separate paper enclosures within your wedding invitation that your guests will need to keep up with. A belly band keeps all of these paper items neat and organized by holding them securely together. It’s usually embellished with the couple’s name or initials, but it’s really up to you.

Map Card

Even in this day and age of GPS technology, it’s still a good idea to include a map card for your guests. You never know if someone’s phone may lose service or run out of a charge. A paper map is helpful backup for your guests to have.

Accommodations Card

If you have negotiated a special hotel rate for your guests, you may want to include that information on a separate accommodations card. The nightly rate, hotel phone number and any other pertinent information can be included on this wedding invite enclosure. If you have a block of hotel rooms that receive a special rate you will need to include instructions on how your guest can receive the discount price.

Response/RSVP Card

“It can be a little overwhelming on first glance to figure out what parts of an invitation you actually need. “

This is probably the most important part of the invitation. You need an accurate count of who will be attending. Your response card should clearly list the number of guests invited and a deadline for replying. The response card envelope should already be filled out with your return address and appropriate postage to make it as easy as possible for your guests to RSVP. If your guests have a meal choice, this is also included on the RSVP card.

Reception Card

A reception card is helpful if the wedding and reception are held in two different places. This will include the name and address of the reception venue and possibly a map, if you prefer. Don’t forget to put the time! You can state “immediately following the wedding ceremony,” or if there will be a bit of lag time due to photos or other events let your guests know by putting an exact reception time.

With so many different styles to customize your invitations, you will surely find the ideal combination that expresses your soon-to-be union. Visit our website to see the many styles and formats of elegant wedding invitations we have to offer.

When it comes to your wedding invitations, you always want
them to stand out. Your invitations present you with an opportunity to create
something that is unique to you by combining beautiful elements and printing
techniques. The last thing you want is for your invitations to look similar or
the same to other invitations you have seen. In order to make yours unique and
really add that ‘wow’ factor, then you are going to need to take some time and
prepare a unique invitation. Read on and find a few ways that will really make
yours stand out against the rest.

Use a Beautiful Typeface

A beautiful typeface is a must with any wedding invitation. Some
of the options that are a perfect fit include scripts, brush, calligraphy, and
handwriting fonts. These are highly recommended because of the limited text on
an invitation. Try to pair one of these typefaces with a simpler font like sans
serif for contrast. You can use the more elegant type for names and sans serif
for the rest to really make them stand out.

Customize a Template

When it comes to a template, if you start with a premade
invitation, it can be a great way to get the ball rolling on your custom
design. It can give you an idea on what style best fits the couple and move on
from there. A good template is one that you can fully customize to suit your
unique needs. Change colors, typefaces, pictures, or themes until you create
something you truly love.

Photo Keepsake Option

When you create an invitation, the recipient may throw it
away after writing down the date in their calendar. In order to make your
invitation more of a keepsake, create one that doubles as a beautiful wedding
photo. When you use a great image and match it with some simple calligraphy,
you can turn it into a design that recipients will want to hold onto.

Print on Quality Paper

Whenever you create something that is printed, nothing says
special occasion like quality paper. You will want to opt in for something with
adequate weight and texture. A sturdy invitation on good paper will always look
better and more official.

When you need your invitations printed perfectly, without
imperfections, you need the right wedding print shop. That’s where we come in,
here at Forever Friends
you can count on us to provide you with beautifully printed invitations.

Planning a wedding is overwhelming- because there are so
many details to decide on. Once you establish your guest list, you will want to
consider the types of party favors you want to gift them to show your
appreciation. From edible treats to customized novelties, read this blog post
for some wedding party favor suggestions.

Desserts

The sky is the limit with sweet favors, so don’t be afraid
to express your creativity with your choices. From individually packaged baking
mixes and baked goods to macarons and much more, you can’t go wrong with a
simple sugary treat. Party guests will be happy to head home with something
sweet to enjoy on their way. Whether you order desserts from your favorite bakery
or prepare them in your home, party guests will appreciate the gesture of an
edible party favor.

Customized Merchandise

Another great way to thank party guests for celebrating with
you is by giving them personalized gifts. From custom blankets with the guests’
names on them to hats embroidered with the wedding date, there are many ways to
give your guests a unique novelty item. Those who have hired a DJ and a dancefloor
should consider gifting dancing guests a pair of sandals that are decorated
using your event’s theme colors. People will be more than happy to kick off
their high heels in exchange for the adorned flats.

Bubbly Favors

You can keep the party going past the end of your wedding
celebration with a unique alcoholic drink. Great party favor drinks include
mini champagne bottles and mini cocktail kits. Your guests will be delighted to
take home a great beverage that will remind them of the occasion. You can even
add custom name labels and décor to the bottles to give them a personalized
flair. Champagne, wine, and beer are all great wedding favors that everyone
will love.

Flower Power

People love being able to craft their own floral bouquet at
the end of a wedding celebration. Purchase a selection of fresh cut flowers and
allow people to fill their own vase or pail with the flowers of their choice.
This sentimental favor will be a total hit.

Conclusion

Wedding party planning doesn’t have to be so stressful. Give these gifts to your friends and family as party favors and your event will be a success. For customized wedding invitations, party favors, and more, you should call on us at Forever Friends, where we are dedicated to excellence.

Congratulations on your upcoming
wedding! While deciding on your wedding invitations and rsvp cards, consider unique
ways to ask friends and family if they’d be in your wedding party. Keep reading
to learn a few tips on ways to choose your wedding party.

Think Twice Before You Ask

Always think twice before asking
friends or relatives to be in your bridal party. Once you ask, there is no
turning back. Consider the future and how close you may or may not be with the
people you’re thinking of asking. You’ll need to trust your attendants to be
there for you during the stresses of planning your wedding.

Newlywed couple surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Honest Expectations

Understand that it’s important to
be honest with yourself and the wedding party about what you’ll be expecting of
them. Do you want your attendants to help you with addressing invitations or
helping you shop for the day of attire? Or would you want to have them leave
the details to you? Whether you want an involved wedding party or people to
simply support you from afar, it’s important to decide before popping the
question to your candidates.

Consider the Size of Your Wedding

Are you expecting to have a large
gathering at your wedding? Or something more intimate with only your close
friends and family? Determining the size of your wedding could give you a
general idea about how many people you want in the wedding party. However,
don’t let this be only deciding factor because a large wedding can still have a
small wedding party and vice versa.

Newlyweds walking with bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Remember There Aren’t Rules

Don’t let the titles of
bridesmaid or best man stand in the way of choosing the best person for the
role. If your dream choice for your maid of honor is a man, call him the man of
honor or if you’d prefer your sister or best girl friend to be your best man,
do it. No matter the role you’re looking to fill in your wedding party,
remember there are no rules in who you choose.

Thoughts

When you ask your friends and
loved ones to stand next to you on your wedding day, keep these tips in mind to
feel confident you’re making the right choice. When you’re ready to pop the
question to them, Forever Friends has a
wide assortment of “Will you be my…” cards and totes to personalize
the experience.

During the fall season,
many couples are getting ready to get married; some are even planning parties
and celebrations ahead of time. For most couples, putting together invitations
for family and friends can be a fun and creative way to announce their upcoming
fall wedding. From picking out colors and fonts, to sorting pictures and
images, follow along in our blog to learn some tips and tricks to make your
fall wedding announcement stand out!

Layout

When forming the layout
of your card, consider a few things first:

The amount of
information (dates, times, location, etc.)

The size of your
card (large, small, etc.)

The number of
pictures displayed

Font and text size

Laying down pictures on a
table, or inserting photos and text online can be beneficial when it comes to
arranging your invitation. Organize your card beforehand so you can get a
better visual of the final product!

Pictures/Images

If you’re planning to
have an autumnal photoshoot done with your significant other, pick out a few
places beforehand. For example, a pumpkin patch or a walkway with colorful
leaves and trees can be a wonderful fall background. Images may include: nature
portraits with your partner, a wedding sign with the date, and other autumn
related photographs!

Font and Color

Explore with different
fonts and colors to match your personal style. From soft oranges and yellows,
to natural reds and greens, a contrast of color (preferably two colors) can
make a big statement on your card. If you’re planning to have a harvest themed
wedding, then autumnal hues can really compliment your invitation. It can also
hint at the colors you’ll be using at your wedding too. Don’t forget to play around
with text and fonts to see which works best with your card size!

Conclusion

Your fall wedding announcement deserves the perfect presentation from front to back. If you need to send out wedding invitations to family and friends, do it with us here at Forever Friends. We have customizable cards and invitations to fit every aesthetic. Order your wedding cards from our website today!

A lot of planning goes
into the design of your wedding invitations. From selecting an elegant and legible
font, to picking the size of your card, you can showcase your personality and
style to your guests while still including all of the necessary information. In
this month’s blog, we’re looking at how to design wedding invitations with a
few key steps to remember along the way!

Size and Print

First, you want to pick the
shape and size of the invitation; these specifications will give you a lot of
information and make the design process a little more worry-free. Depending on
your preference to larger or smaller cards, this can determine how much
information you can fit, as well as other pictures and memorabilia of you and
your partner. It can also determine your postage situation (if you’ll need to
pay extra costs for shipping).

Visual Theme

Is your wedding casual?
Perhaps it’s a black-tie event? Pick a visual theme for your wedding
invitations that matches the tone/theme of your wedding. You’ll want to settle
on a style that reflects your personality as a couple. You might spend a few
days looking at options online, or maybe you already have a concept in mind. Design
elements such as color, typography and other style flourishes can
also be used for the actual event (including table cards and signage).

Font/Typeface

The font on your wedding
invitation can speak volumes. While script writing is a popular style for traditional
cards, modern designs can be just as sleek and sophisticated. While you are
thinking about typefaces, this is the perfect time to think about the words
going on the card. Pick a typeface that works with your actual letters.
(Sometimes a great font doesn’t look the way you like with certain letter
combinations.) Make sure to test different fonts with important information like
the date, time, and location of your wedding.

Collect Images

Gather up your favorite
photos as a couple to put on your card; this kind of display can make your
wedding invitation more personal. If you have custom photos from a shoot, then
be sure that they will fit the area of your card. You don’t want your images to
come out blurry or too small where no one can see them. High-quality and
high-resolution photos are the way to go!

Conclusion

Of course, there are so
many different ways you can express your creativity with a wedding invitation.
If you need a little extra help in the planning process, then we recommend Forever
Friends. With our invitation expertise, we can help you customize a
beautiful wedding card for you and your guests to remember forever!